Local MMA fighter prepares for pay-per-view bout

Port St. Lucie's Din Thomas will be fighting in a mixed martial arts match to be televised nationally via Pay-Per-View on Saturday.

Din Thomas shouts out the code of conduct with his students as they wrap up their youth Mixed Martial Arts class Monday at the Treasure Coast American Top Team in Stuart.

DEBORAH SILVER deborah.silver@scripps.com

Thomas

STUART - Mixed martial arts fighter Din Thomas says teaching others what he’s learned from his 12 years of professional bouts is an honor.

Thomas, 33, is currently training for Saturday’s Pay Per View Shine Fights 3 “Worlds Collide” main event against boxer Ricardo Mayorga, who is making his MMA debut.

The Port St. Lucie resident has been competing in MMA events as a pro since 1998 and has a 25-8 career record.

He currently operates two Treasure Coast American Top Team Academies — one located in St. Lucie West, and a new location at the corner of Cove Road and Kanner Highway in Stuart.

Between the two academies, Thomas and his staff of instructors teach some 250 students age 4 and up.

“I’ve seen kids grow right before my eyes, especially with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” Thomas said. “I see little boys turn into men and little girls become women right in front of me.”

Saturday’s pay-per-view event at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C., is a chance for Thomas to continue his pro career against what he called a “tricky opponent” in Mayorga.

The 36-year-old Mayorga, a former WBA/WBC welterweight and WBC junior middleweight champion, is a trash talker, Thomas said.

“Mayorga is a character,” Thomas said. “He says what he has to say to get people to watch his fights. In some ways, he has an advantage with the power in his hands. He’s predictable in a way, because he’s a boxer, yet unpredictable because this is an MMA event.

“What will he do in this format?”

This marks Shine Fights’ first pay-per-view event and Thomas says there is pressure on him to defend MMA’s honor in the octagon.

“People are trying to make this a boxing versus mixed martial arts fight, which I get — but don’t get,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot of pressure on me to represent (MMA). I’m not going to blow this chance.

“He’s unpredictable, but I’m looking to win.”

As for the students Thomas teaches locally, Kara King — program director at Stuart’s new academy — said it’s a unique learning experience for all ages.

“Our methods differ from some of the other martial arts schools,” King said. “We teach both stand up techniques as well as grappling or ground techniques.

“Our students definitely need to meet certain technique criteria before being invited to test, but they don’t learn a choreographed routine in order to advance.

“Martial arts training is such a gift. The entire process; the breathing, being present in the moment, being centered and simply being still are all important aspects of everyday life. They meditate in class, including the Tiny Tops class of 4- to 7-year-olds.”